Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate

The 814-hour Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate provides students with the knowledge and practical skills required for a career as a Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT).

The program includes theory, demonstrations, practical skill training in the classroom, and a 400-hour supervised practicum at accredited facilities. Topics include: decontamination, cleaning, processing, assembly, sterilization, storage, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical devices within a quality assurance framework. Students will learn and demonstrate the handling and packaging of over 100 basic surgical instruments.

Graduates of the Okanagan College Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate are qualified to write the Canadian Standards Association Certified Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Personnel certification exam as well as an international certifying agency exam, the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material management (IAHCSMM).

Practicum Experiences

Practicum experiences are an integral component of this program. Locations are throughout the province. Okanagan College will assign the placement. While every effort will be made to accommodate a student's preference for locations of practicum experiences, Okanagan College reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any placement. All agencies and institutions serving as practicum sites must be approved by Okanagan College. Okanagan College reserves the right to change a student's practicum placement. The student has the right to be informed in writing of the reasons for a change in placement.

Practicum host sites may require students to work all shifts and therefore, students must plan to make the necessary time adjustments with daycare, part-time employment or other commitments.

Students must arrange for their own transportation to and from practicum sites. Travel and accommodation expenses associated with practicum experiences are entirely the student's responsibility. Attendance at practicum sites is mandatory.

A student may be denied a practicum if their preparatory work is deemed unsatisfactory or if their participation in a practicum puts the receiving agency or its clients at unreasonable risk. A student may be required to withdraw from a practicum on the basis of poor performance or poor attendance in a practicum setting, or if the state of her/his health impairs ability to perform competently or poses a potential risk to the practicum host or its clients.

A student may be suspended from a practicum site if her/his behaviour contravenes that of the established code of conduct for the site or if her/his behaviour is deemed to compromise the normal functioning of the practicum site.

Admission Requirements

B.C. Secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.

One of Occupational First Aid Level 1 or Standard First Aid no more than 12 months before admission

Applicants must undergo a medical screening to determine any pre-existing medical conditions that could be compromised by working in this field.

Evidence of an Ishihara colour test that indicates no colour blindness.

Up-to-date Immunization Record based on vaccinations listed below (prior to starting MEDR 119 - Practicum). Please provide a photocopy of your completed immunization record; this record will be kept in your student file. Applicants are advised that, if they choose not to complete this recommended immunization schedule, any outbreak of an infectious disease can have serious implications for their practice experience because of a requirement by the Health Authority that all those not immunized remain outside of the practice area.

Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoid (Td) - Booster doses of Td are recommended every 10 years, or as a minimum at least once during adult life.

Measles Vaccine - If born between 1957 and 1970, you should have proof of two live measles vaccinations, documentation of physician-diagnosed measles or laboratory evidence of immunity. If you already received one dose of measles vaccine, a second dose of vaccine is recommended and is given as a Measles Mumps (MMR) vaccine.

Polio Vaccine - Primary immunization with inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is indicated for all who have not had a primary course of poliovirus vaccine (OPV or IPV). If you have not been given a full primary course, you should have the series completed with IPV regardless of the interval since the last dose. Booster doses of IPV are not required in Canada.

Rubella Vaccine - If you do not have documented immunity as described above under Measles, you should be vaccinated with MMR, unless there are contraindications.

Hepatitis B Vaccine - Recommended because of potential exposure to blood or body fluids, as well as increased risk of penetrating injuries.

Varicella Vaccine - Indicated for those who do not have either reliable history of disease or serologic evidence of immunity.

A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's admission offices will provide applicants with instructions and forms for applicants to submit to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to submit the letter by the deadline will result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.

Applicants must attend an orientation session.

Graduation Requirements

Students must pass the practicum and attain a minimum grade of 70% in all other courses in the program.